Estate Planning & Probate in Sumter County, Florida

Local Procedures at the Clerk of Circuit Court

The Clerk lists the original will if one exists, the death certificate, the funeral home statement showing who paid the bill, signed and notarized consents from all heirs, and the bank statement, stock certificate, insurance check or other record of the assets to be transferred. If the judge approves, an Order for Payment of Funds is entered, and the institution holding the assets generally requires a certified copy of it. The custodian of an original will deposits it with the Clerk within 10 days after learning of the death and supplies the date of death or Social Security number. The Clerk's office also requires a death certificate to be filed with the original will, there is no charge to deposit it, and the depositor receives a Receipt for Deposit of Will with the file number.